Welcome to the 3rd edition of our newsletter blog: Solar Power Questions – Learn from IPS.
Our goal is to help you understand the basics of solar power systems, so you may make informed and educated choices.
If you missed our previous Newsletter Blogs, you can find them here: IPS Newsletter Blog
Today’s Solar Power Question:
“What are the top 10 ways to save energy in your home and reduce your utility bills?”Here’s how to save energy in your home, and guess what? It’s easy!
1. Wear the right clothes
Dress for the temperature. Layering clothes and wearing wool helps keep you warm in winter, and means you can turn your heater down.
2. Shut doors and close curtains
Heating or cooling the whole house can be expensive. Where possible, shut doors to areas you are not using and only heat or cool the rooms you spend the most time in.
Make sure your curtains or blinds seal your windows properly, and keep your curtains closed at night, and during the day when there is a heat-wave. Block drafts around doors and windows to stop air leaking out, or in.
3. Set your thermostat
In the winter heating can account for over 30% of your bill. Set your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees. Every degree above 20 can add 10% to your heating bill. In summer, set your thermostat to 26 degrees or above.
4. Turn heaters and coolers off when you don’t need them
Turn off when you leave the room, or go to bed. With some ducted heating systems you can turn off the heating in the rooms that are unoccupied. Make sure all your heating or cooling is turned off when you leave the house.
5. Wash clothes using cold water
You can save around $115 per year by washing clothes in cold water. You can also save by making sure you select the shortest appropriate washing cycle and waiting until you have a full load.
6. Run your fridge efficiently
Your fridge is always on, making it one of your most expensive appliances. Make sure the door seal is tight and free from gaps so cold air can’t escape. An ideal fridge temperature is 4 or 5 degrees and an ideal freezer temperature is minus 15 to minus 18 degrees Celsius. If you have a second fridge or freezer, only turn it on when you need it.
7. Insulate your roof
An insulated ceiling makes a big difference to your energy bills. If you already have insulation installed, check that it is properly installed and has the right rating (measured in ‘R-value’).
8. Stop standby power waste
Did you know your phone charger is still using energy even when your phone is not attached? Up to 10% of your electricity could be used by gadgets and appliances that are on standby.
A standby power controller will automatically reduce standby time and switch appliances off when not in use. You may be eligible for a discounted standby power controller.
9. Skip the heat-dry setting for the dishwasher
That heat-dry setting is expensive. De-select it and, based on one load of dishes a day, save up to $37 for the year.
10. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
Replace old incandescent and halogen light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs save power and last longer.
We look forward to your questions and comments and please feel free to share this post if you think it might be helpful to someone you know.
Contact IPS today
Phone: 250-769-2843
Email: Sales@IPWR.net
#101 – 2387 Dominion Rd
West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2Y4
Canada
Sunday, March 20, marks the spring equinox and the end of the coldest days of winter. With the start of a new season comes a fresh opportunity to find ways to save energy and money.
Here are just a few simple things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home as warmer temperatures arrive:
1. Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Also, the first day of spring could serve as a reminder to check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at optimal levels.
2. Open windows. Opening windows creates a cross-wise breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. This is an ideal tactic in spring when temperatures are mild.
3. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort.
4. Cook outside. On warmer spring days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens.
5. Install window treatments. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades and films can slash heat gain when temperatures rise. These devices not only improve the look of your home but also reduce energy costs.
6. Caulk air leaks. Using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home keeps warm air out -- and cash in your wallet.
7. Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use windows and skylights to brighten your home.
8. Set the thermostat. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.
9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption. Sealing and insulating ducts can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.
10. Switch on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans suck out heat and humidity from your home, improving comfort.
Check out our home cooling and landscaping infographics for more ways to cut energy costs this spring. And visit Energy Saver for additional tips on improving your home’s energy efficiency.
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